English Critical Vocab

Description

words frequently used in critiquing English
cybercelt2
Flashcards by cybercelt2, updated more than 1 year ago
cybercelt2
Created by cybercelt2 almost 10 years ago
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Resource summary

Question Answer
Narration The vantage point from which a story is told; the eye and mind through which the action is perceived and filtered
Exposition The immediate or gradual revelation of setting, character, and background information needed for understanding the plot; the beginning part of a story where the reader is given the details s/he needs to know
Conflict A struggle between opposing forces (external or internal)
Protagonist the principal and central character of a story, usually the hero; the character who has to solve the problem
antagonist the character, force of nature, or object that stands in opposition to the protagonist; they cause the conflict
Scapegoat a character or group made to bear the blame of others or to suffer in their place
Character Foil A character who contrasts with the hero in a way that emphasizes one or more traits, attitudes or actions of the hero. Example: a foolish character sets the hero's wisdom in a stronger light
Direct Characterisation the author tells the reader what sort of person the character is
Indirect Characterisation presentation of the character without interpretation by the author; the author shows the reader what sort of person the character is through actions, dialogue, thoughts, and mannerisms
Character Motivation the inner drive, impulse, or intention that causes a character to feel, think, and act in a certain way
Foreshaddowing Details that hint at the direction the story is going to move; a hint or clue to future action; creates suspense, prepares the reader for what happens next
Setting time, place, climate, environment
Irony the recognition of the difference between reality and appearance
Similie A figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared
Metaphor A figure of speech in which two unlike objects are imaginatively compared or identified with each other
Personification When human traits are given to a something that is not a human
Imagery writes create pictures that appeal to the reader's sense of sight
Allusion A reference to characters, places, or events from history, literature, religion, or art; the author assumes the reader will recognize the reference and understand more about the author's message
Symbol an object, place, character, condition, or action that stands for or suggests something abstract
Theme The central or dominating idea, the message in a story, not stated directly, it is expressed through recurrent images, actions, characters, or symbols
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